Switzerland · Alps
Gotthardpass
The historic Gotthard with its famous cobblestoned old road and wide modern switchbacks is one of the most important Alpine crossings.
- Length
- 13.0 km
- Avg gradient
- 7.8%
- Max gradient
- 12%
- Elevation gain
- 1,011 m
- Summit
- 2,106 m
- Hairpins
- 24
Versants
- From Airolo — 13.0 km at 7.8% (max 12%)
- From Andermatt — 10.5 km at 6.3% (max 10%)
History
The Gotthard has been one of the great Alpine crossings since medieval times — a military, trade, and pilgrimage route across the Swiss Alps. The old cobblestoned mule track that dates to the 13th century still exists in sections, and it's actually rideable on gravel bikes. The modern paved road, completed in its current form by 1830, brought the pass into the age of carriages.
The climb from Airolo on the south is 13 km at 7.8% average with 24 famous switchbacks. The famous cobblestones exist on the old road sections, and while the main modern route is paved, cycling historians and gravel-focused riders seek out the cobbled variants. The Gotthard is relatively quiet compared to the heavily-touristed Furka or Grimsel nearby.
The pass sits at 2,106 m and is the most direct Alpine crossing from central Switzerland to Italy. The road tunnel below the pass, opened in 1882, carries most modern traffic, which means the mountain road is quieter now than it's been in centuries.